The construction of a roof is an important matter and requires consideration of many details. In addition to the choice of roofing, the owners of the future of the house will also have to think about thermal insulation. And that's where the questions begin: what kind of insulation should I choose for the roof of the house, are there any criteria for determining the best material? In a word, how to choose a heater for a roof is an important question, on which we will dwell in this article.
What do you need to remember?
About the main characteristics of such material. For example:
- Thermal conductivity . In simple words, this is the ability of the material to transmit heat. Of course, the lower the thermal conductivity coefficient of a heater, the more effective its effect will be.
- Weight . It depends on it, how the heater will be installed on the roof surface. Heater with a large weight will be mounted over the rafters, and with a lower weight - between the rafters and the crate (the base for fixing the roofing material). But it should be remembered that if under the roof is an attic, the heater should be chosen easier: furniture, heating system and the like in the attic room and already give a load on the house.
- Stiffness . Be sure to pay attention to this indicator and see that it was neither too large nor too small. This important property ensures a tight fit to the rafters: materials with low rigidity slide from the roof along its slope.
- Water vapor permeability . Materials with a high index form a condensate and, therefore, accumulate moisture. This leads to a loss of thermal insulation properties.
- Hence follows the following characteristic - water absorption . Here everything is clear: the less water accumulates the heater, the better. Otherwise, it is necessary to equip the waterproofing layer.
- Soundproofing . Perhaps, there is no need to explain: you need to choose a heater that will save you from the noise of rain and other things.
What kind of insulation to use for the roof?
First, we will analyze what materials are on the market, and then - what kind of insulation is best for the roof of your house.
- Mineral wool . Such a material is considered one of the most environmentally friendly, and yet it has a very high thermal insulation ability.
- Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene). It has a practically unique property: it does not lend itself to rotting.
- Polyurethane foam (PPU). This heater is easy to install, but requires protection, as it wears out from ultraviolet radiation.
- Foam concrete . It evenly fills all voids, and is also durable.
- Cellulose insulation . This is a fairly new material for the CIS countries, characterized by wastelessness, that is, ready for repeated use.
- Foamed glass . This material has an excellent property - fire safety. But not everyone can afford to install it: in addition to its own expensive price, it also requires additional equipment, which raises the cost.
- Expanded clay . In addition to thermal insulation, it also provides a tight design for the entire roof.
And yet, what kind of insulation for the roof is better to choose? It depends on your means, time, and also the features of the house. For example, roof attic owners often wonder what is better to use a heater, because sometimes such roofs are of a complex shape. This is ideal for polyurethane foam, already mentioned above.
So, it all depends on your situation. The main thing is to choose the materials of good and trustworthy firms and approach to business with all responsibility. Then you will get a reliable roof with a reliable heater.